Guten Tag!

May 18, 2011

Wow. Not sure how to start a post after nearly three months away. Excuses first? A heartfelt apology? Groveling? Sniveling? Begging for forgiveness? A secret money exchange? A shoulder rub? Some cupcakes? Beer?

Probably the beer. We'll drink to forget.

Suddenly oompah music begins to play and we are under a giant beer tent together, standing on a long wooden table...in dirndls! Look at us! We're having so much fun...just like old times!

Keep your hands off my beer.

Ach!

Where to start? I really didn't mean for so much time to pass. I didn't mean to ignore everyone and disappear. Every day I woke up and thought, 'Today I will write a post.' Every night I went to sleep thinking, 'Maybe tomorrow.' And here we are. Look up procrastination in the dictionary and there I am. (Unfortunately I'm under "glutton," "passive-aggressive" and "pompous" as well. That sucks.)

This morning I got a message from Typepad telling me I needed to update my billing or I'd no longer have access to my blog. I couldn't justify paying for something I wasn't using. But I also couldn't justify disappearing without a word. It just felt wrong. Weak. Stupid.

One month from today I leave Germany.

It's strange and surreal to write that sentence...but it's also a fact. In some ways, it's been impossible for me to be here because it was a constant reminder of all that I was leaving behind. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. It made me feel sad. Feeling sad, in turn, made me go into deep denial. If I could avoid coming here, I could put off the inevitable...or at least live in a make-believe world until someone tossed me on a plane and slammed the door shut.

I know none of this makes up for disappearing and ignoring my friends. For that, I apologize in sincerity. Not good. Ich bin ein giant dork.

Let's get this pity party rolling!

Not really.

Let's just move on, shall we?

Just saw the photo above in one of my old family photo folders recently. It was taken in Berlin in the 1970s on a vacation there with the family. My older sisters sit, looking incredibly bored, with my father inside our vacation home--while outside the window my twin sister K and I, in our matching dresses, stare in a very creepy fashion at the others. I am on the left, slightly smaller. Twins are super creepy. At least we were.

I promised in my last post--what seems like years ago now--to tell you about my former home in Belgium, where we lived for five years. I will begin by telling you I was most certainly not a Belgian princess...at least legally.

We lived here when my dad worked for NATO. The house came with the job...which is pretty sweet, eh? I was invited to go back after almost twenty years and visit. It was wonderful. In some ways it felt like coming full-circle...being here as a kid and returning with my own kids. Pure bliss. Of course, living in a Belgian chateau kinda messes with your expectations of future homes.

The experience of re-visiting places from my youth has been amazing. The chance to live again in Europe for four years was such a gift. The best part for me was sharing it with my husband and two kids. We've seen so much during our time here, and all of it will stay with us forever.

Blogging about my life here has also been amazing. I've met so many wonderful people--in real life and through pen pal-style relationships. I hate that as things wrap up here, I feel as though I've lost some of those friendships through neglect. For that, I am truly sorry.

Everything comes to an end, of course. Here I sit at about 11:45 in the morning, still in my pajamas (shhhhh!), and type out the last words of this blog. It's an appropriate ending, as many of my blog posts were typed out in my pajamas. Don't hate.

Wherever you are, if you're reading this, please know how grateful I am to have had such a fun three years here at this mostly silly blog. The experiences I've had in Germany will always go hand-in-hand with the experience I've had blogging about them. In some ways I feel as though all my blog friends are friends I've made since moving here. I will miss you when I'm gone.

I promise to try harder to be a better friend in the near future. Just writing this post has allowed me to free myself from the chains of denial. I'm leaving soon. This will all come to an end. And that's okay.

March 07, 2011

The fog rolls in during the night. On my morning walks with the dog, it's eerily quiet, as if the whole world has been reduced to the parameters of the muddy trails we follow. Walking along in silence, I find I'm one hundred percent positive there's unseen magic all around us--just beyond our sight, lost in the fog. Where are my fellow LARPers when I need them? LIGHTNING BOLT!

Occasionally, we find we are not alone. There's thesound of wind and wings in the distance. Tiny figures ahead scamper away into the fog. (These are usually just my neighbors when they see us coming.)

And yet, there IS magic. I can prove it. Because within an hour or so, we are back to this again...blue skies! Sunshine! My tiny pink, watery eyes can hardly stand it. The world is HUGE again!

﻿

We are surrounded by color and light. The magic recedes and disappears. We are left with tractors. And a goose.

Of course, it is easier to spy on your neighbors when they can't hide from you. Hello, neighbor. We meet again.

Look! Spring is almost here...the pussy-willows are out! Have I told you about my obsession with pussy willows? I AM OBSESSED WITH PUSSY WILLOWS. Don't you judge me.

Thanks for all the blog love on my previous post. No, not the one with the drunken baby. I really didn't get enough love for that. I'm talking about the post wherein I drop the bomb on you about my blog ending. (I say 'drop the bomb' when I really mean 'let the last of the stale air out of the shrunken balloon.'

I still haven't decided what will happen after we move. Probably a break during which time I will haunt everyone else's blogs until I'm asked to leave, due to my overwhelming need to "share." Is there a way to post photos in people's comment boxes? I'd like to share some summer time bikini shots...especially as I've worked hard to add some extra rolls this winter. Anyone out there an F.A.?

﻿Coming soon...a post about a long weekend spent in Belgium--which occured a couple of weeks ago. And, an explanation of sorts of how in the name of god I was able to call this tiny chateau home for five years.

March 05, 2011

February 28, 2011

Hard to believe it's almost March. I am outraged. I am filled with fury. Do you hear that strange squeaking noise? Those are my teeth, as I grind them while typing this. Soon there will nothing left but tiny white nubs. Then you'll be sorry, March. I will still bite you.

And yet, I feel conflicted. Inside I yearn for spring...for warmer days and more light...for flowers and singing birds...for soft breezes and dappled sunlight...(but not for bees). However, it also causes me great sorrow. Why great sorrow, you ask? Ah, here's where the story gets interesting.

Three short months from now I will be leaving Germany for good. I know! It's a shock! Each day that passes now...brings me that much closer to departure. My heart clenches a little as I type those words. I am quivering like a bowl of jello. The German dream is beginning to flicker and grow dim...causing alarm and internal distress.

Inside, my inner cry-baby is growing ever more powerful. Soon, she will throw the world's most tragic temper tantrum...which only happens when she doesn't get what she wants. Which is to say, rather frequently. But none will match this.

I realize there are worse things than moving to Northern California. Yes, that's where we're headed. But the last four years here have been magical for me. And for the family. I will miss Germany with every fiber of my being. I will mourn for these quiet days. I will shed tears of utter sadness and despair. I will leave a piece of my heart in this tiny village when I go.

Hopefully the villagers will erect some sort of statue in my honor when I'm gone. That would definitely make me feel better. Then, every June they will gather together in silence and lay wreaths around the base. Tears will be shed. In this way the memory of me and my little dog will never die.

I will overcome my grief, of course. Some day. Far in the future. Most likely when I am old and forgetful. I will look around one day and say --in a voice a little too loud and slightly accusatory--'Where did all these beer glasses come from?' Life must go on.

This blog will not, however, go on. Tick tock! In three months we will both self-destruct. Happy thoughts!

Tomorrow is my three year blogging anniversary. Hard to believe. I've never done anything which required even minimal effort for three straight years. You must understand, this is miraculous. I am the world's biggest quitter. And yet!

I still think the best part of blogging has been meeting so many interesting, smart, funny and creative people. That means YOU, of course.

YOU!

Is it too late to put together a "BlogEur"--during which time I invite friends from all over the world to pile into my tiny house, in my even tinier village? We can go drink beer and eat Schnitzel at Trafo. We can go for bike rides along the bike trail (it goes all the way to France from my little village!) We can go on long walks with the most beautiful views of the German countryside. I will introduce you to my German neighbors...there's Tanja, Ingo, Jule, Sonja, Martina, Manuela, Karl Heinz, Sigrid, Reiner, Petra, Gert...They will all fall in love with you! Why?

Because you are adorable, lovable and filled with goodness--like a fragile, downy baby bird.

Couldn't resist sharing this old photo of my Grandpa Joe (on the right) during his visit to the Munich Hofbräuhaus sometime in the early 1950s. Not sure who the woman between them is--theHofbräuhaus Hottie--but I do know the fellow on the left is a friend and fellow work colleague (love the bow-tie!). How great is this photo? Only the best.

Beer--it brings families together.

I'm one of those people who live for this sort of full circle of life thing. My grandfather and I have led somewhat parallel lives, separated by 6 decades, during our time in Germany. I feel a connection to him--and once again thank my lucky stars for having the opportunity to experience all of this.

A little over an hour by train from Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the beautiful city of Munich. I love Munich. I would love to live in Munich--if I did, I would refer to it as "München"and then in a very condenscending and patronizing voice would say, 'But you may only know it as Munich.' It's the perfect combination of old and new-- a city with a rich history and a modern outlook. It's a city worth exploring by foot--with stunning architecture and a wonderful pedestrian shopping zone. We spent the day there and had a fabulous time...even in the severe, bone-chilling cold of a German winter.

Pedestrian Shopping Zone

There's so much to see and do in Munich--so I won't waste a minute of your time. Only the most important and historical sights and places will be featured in this blog post.

Let us begin...

Behold!

Munich's finest!

Mushrooms!

And, more mushrooms! (See the glamorous people of Munich picking out their mushrooms? One doesn't rush where mushrooms are concerned. )

Here are mushrooms with tiny pigs!

Look! A bowl full of felted mushrooms!

Munich is filled with mushroom love.

Perhaps that is why I felt so at home. And at peace. They are my people, the München-ers.

Beyond mushrooms, another passion of mine was touched upon. A life-long passion. A passion which runs so deep, it is sometimes necessary to spend a day recovering afterward.

Hofbräuhaus, Munich - (In this photo, I am toasting my new friends.)

One cannot and should not ever visit Munich without setting foot (and most certainly, rear end) within the confines of the the Hofbräuhaus (Main or Central Brewery.)

"Thirst is worse than homesickness."

The Hofbräuhaus manages to stay authentic and real--even as a major tourist hotspot. Inside the band plays as the long wooden fest tables all around are filled with the regulars--all of whom make for incredibly amazing people-watching.

I even found a photo of my Doppelgänger hanging on the wall right next to our table...serendipitous! Hallo, me! You are a saucy thing, aren't you?

The Hofbräuhaus is a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds.

Everywhere you look, you are reminded that beer makes everything better. These signs are for reserved tables (Stammtisches) where beer-drinking clubs meet. Beer-drinking clubs? Is this heaven or real life?

February 18, 2011

This little video was taken at the top of St. Peter's Church in Munich, right after Christmas, looking down at the New Town Hall and its glockenspiel. It's a little shaky--not enough caffeine that morning, methinks.

I like seeing the tiny people of Munich all going about their busy lives. From this height, Munich becomes a miniature pretend world. And I am the mighty deity controlling its inhabitants. I think it needs some background music...any suggestions?

February 17, 2011

Still here...though it may seem otherwise. Will be resuming more regular posting in the near future. Yes, soon the quiet stillness of the photos above will be replaced with annoying chatter, alcohol and pastry-fueled antics and occasional inappropriate, yet undeniably sultry dance moves.

In the works: Finally finishing up our much promised, yet never produced, Munich trip--and--an upcoming quick weekend trip to Belgium (during which time I get to share a visit to my old house after nearly twenty years! So 'cited! Just wait!)

February 01, 2011

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to our post-Christmas visit to Bavaria. I've been in deep hibernation mode--lethargic and unresponsive--surrounded by strategically placed pillows and covered by the world's most heavenly down-filled blanket.

Hearing the distant rumble of Frau Müller's pastry truck making it's way up the hill, I begin to stir. My heartrate picks up. My withered muscles begin to tense...to move, ever so slightly. My pupils dilate. My back arches. Suddenly, like a giant grizzly, I emerge from the den in search of sustenance.

With careful planning and consideration, I will write a quick post-- while simultaneously gorging on pastries--during my brief foray into the real world. It's a delicate balance fueled by carb-loading.

Yes, that's better. The tiny receptors in my brain are being rewarded. Floods of "mushroom-sighting endorphins" have washed over me. I am whole again. The post can continue.

Now to show you a bit of our post-Christmas Baravarian Extravaganza. Because lord knows you haven't seen enough of my travels. Please pretend to be excited! I promise I won't notice you're faking it!

First, our visit to Oberammergau...

A place I used to stay almost every winter as a kid. A place packed with good memories...of skiing, snow and family. Of mountains and spectacular scenery. Of painted houses and charming shops.

Being there again with my sister Beth (and the rest of the gang) was wonderful.

We walked through the village and admired the paintings.

Oberammergau is famous for its "Luftlmalerei" or frescoes, which decorate the village facades. It is also famous for its wood-carving--which you can see in the shop windows above.

Many people know of Oberammergau through its "Passion Play." In 1634, the inhabitants of Oberammergau put on their first production of the play, having made a vow to God. If they were spared from the effects of the Bubonic Plague sweeping through Europe at that time--they would perform this play every ten years. Luckily for them, they were spared--and the Passion Play has continued. It involves over 2,000 of the local residents who are the actors, singers and musicians. People come from all over the world to see it.

I loved seeing the very plain facades with their exquisite paintings.

So beautiful, when surrounded by snow and seasonal decorations.

Here's my personal favorite:

It's the Little Red Riding Hood house!

I've loved this house since I was about six years old. I have never stopped wanting to live there. Even now.

So there you have a brief look at Oberammergau and a little of its history. Hope you enjoyed the show.

January 10, 2011

Pretty sure leaving a Christmas Day post up for weeks at a time does very little to build-up blog readership. Might as well have included some Maria Carey/Christina Agulera Christmas duets playing on a loop. If anyone out there needs any tips on increasing traffic at your blog...you know who *not* to call! Giggle!

Seriously. Do exactly the opposite of everything I do here. Guaranteed instant blogging success. Personally, I prefer sabotaging myself, which keeps pressure---and not surprisingly, readership exceptionally low. Tip of the day: Always, always cultivate a sense of disappointment in your readers. Then, BE the disappointment.

Believe it or not, the Xmas tree has been down for weeks. The decorations have been put away. The Christmas music has been silenced. Thank God. Most, if not all, of the Christmas chocolate has been consumed in very few sittings. In short, it's business as usual here.

It was a wonderful Christmas, though, with my sister B and her handsome hubby here. Spent a few days here at home, then drove down to Garmisch for five days--where we played in the snow and ate too much.

As always, it was filled with laughter, occasional sledding-induced injuries/slight losses of bladder control...and complete exhaustion.

The sledding was incredible--as always.

After taking the cable car up to the top, it takes us about 45 minutes to sled down the mountain. It's exhausting and exhilarating at the same time. We've only managed to get two full runs in before we're all wiped.

This was our lunch the day we sledded down Eckbauer Mountain:

Leberknoedelsuppe. Translation? Liverball soup. At least, that's how I translate it. And you know what? It wasn't half-bad. I was starving, of course. And freezing. And desperate to put something in the empty cavernous black hole that is my stomach. So there was that. Jesus. I really did eat that? Should've made THAT photo the header at the top of this post. Then, the few readers who actually showed up would turn away with disgust. Hahaha! There's another tip! I should get paid for these.

Anyhow, I did have the added bonus of emailing back and forth with Paola while I was in Bavaria. She was in Tirol, playing in the snow--which wasn't far from where we were. We waved to one another from the highest mountain tops and toasted each other with our beers. Prost, Paola!

Will be back soon with more photos from our trip...beautiful Oberammergau and amazing Munich. Just wait till you see the shop I saw in Munich FILLED WITH MUSHROOMS. You KNOW YOU CAN'T RESIST SEEING THE MUSHROOMS.